Tessera

 

Volume I, Number 11                                                                                    October, 2007

 

Avete, Comilitiones.

 

News/Events:

No events for this month, but we did receive enquiries from several agencies for events in the Fall/Winter time frames.  More to follow later.

 

September Workshop:

            October has passed, and we are finally seeing some cooler weather for our workshops and events.  Apologies to all for not being able to host or participate in this month’s workshop, but I had a last-minute business trip to the Pentagon that I had to take that Saturday.  Fortunately, our optio stepped-up (like he always does) and hosted it at his house in Whitesburg.

            Chris Stewart and Alex Matras did a superb job of enlarging the legion’s scutum press, which will allow us to press a blank of up to 48” in length.  This means that we can create scuta from the Republican period as well as the Principate.  Mike Waugh was also present to work on his balteus.  I’m really proud of you guys for getting after your kits so well!

 

Member News:

            Two new members were confirmed this month – Jesse Bailey and Glen Kyle from Conroi FitzOsbern.  Both are very experienced re-enactors, and I know that they will add a great deal to the legion’s presentations.  Glen is planning a legionary impression, while Jesse is working very hard on his auxiliary cavalry impression.  Both are planning to attend Castra Romana in November, and I hope that we will see them very soon at a workshop.

We have several member projects on-going.  Alex Matras, Andrew Magee and Mike Waugh are all making great progress on their baltei – can’t wait to see the finished product.  Alex M’s balteus uses the new Mark III belt plates from CLANG Armory, and they are a great addition to CLANG’s other very nice items.  Alex Matras also received a very nice gladius last month – the new Fulham gladius from Find-It Armory.  He brought it by the house and Alex Kyrychenko and I both had a chance to give it a close look.  This is a super gladius and well worth the money.

We have several scuta in the works – Brian Lauthen and Andrew Magee both have blanks complete with the handles and bracing attached.  All they need at this point is to have the linen and/or leather coverings and they will be ready for paint, rims, and umboa.  We have a blank prepared for Chris Damour, and I was able to find some bendable birch plywood to replace the luan we’ve been using.  It’s much easier to shape, and both Alex Kyrychenko and I intend to use it to construct Republican-era scuta.  I bought enough of it so that we should be able to start putting birch blanks for all our new guys in the press in short order. 

I also got enough plywood and bracing material to complete the Kessel-patterned shield for our 3rd Loaner Kit, as well as an oval clipeus for Jesse Bailey and the 4th Loaner Kit.  We have a lot of guys who need to complete scuta, and the materials are available to do so – you just need to come over and get started once Chris Stewart gets them out of the press.

Remember – anytime someone needs help with a project I am usually available every weekend to assist.

 

Loaner Gear and Financial Report:

            Loaner Kits #1 and #2 are complete, featuring every item of the Basic Kit with the exception of a balteus and caligae, which will not be included. 

More progress here on Loaner Kits #3 and #4.  Alex Kyrychenko and I completed the seax and scabbard for Kit #3, and I was able to complete the helmet (using the Krefeld-Gelduba find data) for Kit #3.  Aside from a hasta, Kessel-pattern shield, and hamata, Kit #3 is complete.  I have a blank cut for this shield, and a nice steel umbo on-hand to go with it.  For Kit #4, I have cut out the clipeus, and I have a nice brass umbo on-order.  With other equipment available in the legio, I see no reason that we cannot field all four loaner impressions at Castra!  That will be great.

            Here is what we have on-hand and on-order for Loaner Impressions #3 and #4:

 

On Hand:

2 x Germanic tunics

2 x Over-tunics

2 x Braccae

1 x Celtic/Germanic gladius

1 x Leather balteus

1 x seax  

1 x Krefeld helmet

Materials for Kessel-pattern Shield

 

On Order:

1 x Subarmalis

1 x Find-It Armory Fulham Gladius

1 x Brass Umbo

 

            Financially, we have $22.00 on-hand in the fiscus.

 

Upcoming Events:

 

9 Nov 2007:  School visit to the Stratford Academy in Macon, GA.  Looks like myself, Alex K. and Chris S. have committed to this one, but everyone is welcome.  We’ll give a demo to a large audience and then do some small-group interaction.

 

12 Nov 2007:  School visit to Emory University History Department.  Myself, Alex K. and Andrew will represent the legio at this one, but everyone is welcome. 

             Finally, the last BIG event of the year is Castra Romana near Charleston with our Brothers from Legio VI. I know we all want to be there – dates are 16-19 November.  So far, I have 10 members who plan to attend.  

 

We’ve also received enquiries from the High Museum of Art in Atlanta to participate in an exhibit on Ancient Rome on 24 Feb ’08, and the potential still exists to do a museum event in Jacksonville, FL, on 20 Dec ’07.  I have not given them a final answer on that one, and am waiting to hear from members before I do so.

 

Upcoming Workshops:

            Next workshop is scheduled for Saturday, 3 November at my house.  We’ll work on shields or whatever other projects members need to complete.

 

That’s it, Brothers. 

 

Valete,

 

Gaius Aurelius Calvus (Edge Gibbons)

Centurio